The Word

Thank You, Lord, for delivering me from the powers of darkness. Blessed be Your Name for continually richly supplying all my needs according to Your great riches. I'll lift You high and exalt You in the assembly of believers.  It is written, "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ". I declare by this Word in the Name of Jesus Christ, my God who began the year with me will see me through it. As the seventh month comes to an end today, I speak fruition into every area of my life. I decree the covenant Blood of Jesus Christ ushers me into the eighth month and beyond in victory, overflowing testimonies, breakthroughs, healing, and all blessings divine. My week and the new month are blessed and highly favoured in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! Supporting texts: Philippians 1:6; 4:19 & Colossians 1:12&13

Our study, today will focus on a couple than individuals. In the church there exist families and we need to learn from godly families to enhance our very homes. The couple for today's study is Aquilla and Priscilla. Acquilla is a Jew both in Pontus that got married to Priscilla. They were tentmakers and were helpers to the Apostle Paul in his ministerial journey.  Some Characteristics of Acquilla and Priscilla * They were faithful in the Lord. A lesson from this couple is that they really became one in the Lord and served Him diligently. * They were not sluggish but hardworking. They were tentmakers and earn a living from that. All couples must emulate to work to support each other financial and material-wise. * They were hospitable; Apostle Paul mentioned them as helpers. Couples must be helpful to the church. * They were intelligent. When they heard Apollos minister, they did not openly correct him but took him aside and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Apollos b...

Theme: The Forgiveness of Sin Text: Luke 5:23&24 23  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?   24  But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” —He said to the man who was paralyzed,  “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” In yesterday's devotion, the Scribes and Pharisees were displeased with Jesus for pardoning the sin of the paralyzed man and saw it as blasphemy. Jesus asked in today's text, " Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?" All is easier with God and He is capable of doing just what pleases Him. One thing to know about forgiveness of sin is, that you have all the chances to ask to be pardoned while alive but that cannot be the case after death. Many often carry regrets to their graves and are unable to confess because of pride like that of the Scribes and Pharisees. At the end of the drama, the paralyzed...

Theme: Reasoning in Your Heart Text: Luke 5:21&22 21  And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”  22  But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them,  “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? In yesterday's devotion, we mentioned faith conquers all things. However, the Scribes and the Pharisees reasoned among themselves and thought the word of forgiveness uttered by Jesus Christ was blasphemy. God can forgive sin so can the Son of Man also forgive sin for He is the sacrificial Lamb that takes away our sins.  Do not let your thoughts deceive you that God cannot forgive your sins. Jesus is asking you today concerning the confession you've made yet do not believe you've been pardoned, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts?" There is nothing impossible with God, for He has said, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins if we open up to Him....

Theme: Faith Conquers  Text: Luke 5:20 20  When He saw their faith, He said to him “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen.    For by it the elders obtained a  good  testimony (Hebrews 11:1&2).  In yesterday's devotion, we saw how true friendship made the paralyzed man's friends let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. The text today is the response of Jesus to seeing what they did for a friend.  When faith comes to play, it conquers every limitation. Faith forgives sin; anyone who believes in Christ and trusts Him as Saviour is cleansed from any form of sin. Jesus' Blood makes the vilest sinner clean. When sins are pardoned, it paves way for deliverance, healing, and breakthrough. Let your faith set things right in your life.  PRAYER: Dear God, increase my faith when reason fails. Help me to set my faith on fire in eve...

Theme: Faithful Friends  Text: Luke 5:18&19 18  Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him.  19  And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. It's good to make friends but you ought to choose the right ones. A rightful friend is ever ready to go through the thin and thick of life with you and not just one that presents himself or herself when things are rosy. You get to know your true friends as you go through difficult moments and that is exactly what the text for consideration enlightened on.  The paralyzed man had friends that were ever ready to do whatever it takes to have their friend receive healing. They brought him to where Jesus was teaching but could not have access to Him. Friends that can guide you to succeed do not leave you hal...

Theme: Jesus' Audience  Text: Luke 5:17 17  Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.  Jesus' ministry is characterised by the audience who daily follow Him to listen to His teaching. Different groups of people ranged from ordinary people to the Pharisees, and teachers of the law. Each group has its intention for coming around to listen to the teaching of Jesus Christ. Do you also make time to listen to the teachings of the Lord? You need to make time to listen to the teachings of the Lord because the atmosphere gets charged with the power of healing when the message is being taught. PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for constantly charging the atmosphere with healing whenever Your Name is preached. Send healing upon our land and deliver us from all forms of diseases and sicknesses i...

Thank You, Lord, for giving unto us the privilege to free ask, seek and knock at Your door. Glory be to Your Name our Adonai God. We will declare of Your goodness all the days of our lives and our praise shall never fail to reach Your throne of grace. It is written, " So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you;   seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.     For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened".  I declare in the Name of Jesus Christ, Lord I request Your favour to go before me in all that I do and divinely open doors for me. I come before Your presence seeking Your Hand of intervention in my life to contend with those who contend against me. I knock on Your door of blessings and pray You open and rain down blessings uncountable in every area of my life. May Your will be done that Your Name may be glorified in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! LUKE 11:9&10

Onesimus was a slave in the house of Philemon but became a fugitive after stealing from his master. He served his master in Colossae but fled to Rome so as not to be apprehended. However, while the Apostle Paul was serving in prison awaiting trial with Ceasar, he was spreading the gospel it was during this time that Onesimus encountered him.  Some characteristics of Onesimus * His name means helpful * He was a thief making him useless to his master as the Apostle Paul puts it. A bad slave is of no use to the master.  * He became useful after hearing the Gospel. He served Apostle Paul and the other believers in the company of Tychicus. * The Apostle Paul identified him as his son; “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains” * He never messed up his second chance but made good use of it to reconcile with his master. Supporting texts: Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:10-22

Theme: Pray Text: Luke 5:16 16  So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Christ has been a good model to us Christians in His ministry. Despite His hectic schedule of teaching, healing and performing other miracles, He always makes time to have a quiet time with God. In the text for consideration after performing the miracles, He withdrew into the wilderness to pray. In solitude, we can learn to reassess our lives, make and take decisions, and have fellowship with the Lord. Our fellowship is to pray (communicate with God). Prayer brings out the best in us; God gives us grace, strengthens us and repositions us for better advancement. The secret to why Jesus never failed is because He always prayed in solitude. Employ this and your life will be greatly transformed.  PRAYER: Teach me Lord how to have quality moments with You. Let the entrance of Your Word give me divine understanding and equip me to daily have a quiet time with You. This I asked...

Theme: Good Report Text: Luke 5:15 15  However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. The report of the Lord cannot be a bad one but a good one. Though the man was charged not to tell anyone except the priest, the account of his healing spread fast like wildfire in the dry season. Our testimonies of the goodness of God are a report that draws many to Christ. They that receive the report and act on it also receive their healing to testify to God's glory. Send the report out that Jesus is still in the business of healing and performing miracles. PRAYER: Thank You Lord for putting new songs in our mouths daily. Help us to boldly testify of the goodness of God that we may draw more souls to eternal life in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Your Offering Matters Text: Luke 5:14   14  And He charged him to tell no one,  “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them,   just as Moses commanded.” Our offerings are divine testimonies of the goodness of God. Having been cleansed, Jesus asked the man to go show himself to the priest and make an offering of cleansing as a testimony to them as Moses commanded. The priest examines the individual to confirm the healing process. The offering given is a token of appreciation to God. In our dispensation, the Blood of Jesus is speaking greatly on our behalf and so we do not need grains or animals for sacrifice rather, the offering is the testimonies we share to God's glory . In some situations, individuals do add money to the written or verbal testimony. No matter how little your offering is, present it with joy because the essence of the offering is not the monetary value but the glory bestowed to the ...

Theme: The Lord is Ever Willing Text: Luke 5:13 13  Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying,  “I am willing; be cleansed.”  Immediately the leprosy left him.  In yesterday's devotion, we learned how the man with leprosy came to Jesus asking if He is willing then He should make him whole. This man never considered his will but God's will to be done. In the text today, Jesus gave him a positive reply that He is willing. God is ever willing to meet us at the point of our needs if we consider His will above ours. He will cleanse us from the things that bring reproach to our names and give us a new identity in His divine glory. We shall be blessed and be called blessed.  PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, that You are ever willing to meet me at the point of my need. I pray Your will be done in my life, family, career, business, education, and every sphere of my life in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: If You Are Willing, Lord Text: Luke 5:12 12  And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” The will of God is the surest thing any child of God must desire and accept wholeheartedly. This man with leprosy desired healing yet he did not go to Jesus to be healed, but to allow the will of the Lord to prevail. We need to also lift our burdens, challenges and troubles to the Lord in humility seeking only the will of the Lord be done. Whatever the result is, we will accept it because the will of God prevailed at the end of the day.  PRAYER: Dear God, in my folly, I've made choices I should not have. Forgive me for constantly desiring my will over Yours and help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to accept Your will wholeheartedly Thank You, Lord, that Your will, will be done in my life in the Name of Je...

Thank You Gid for permitting me to dwell in Your presence, for  a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I bless Your Holy Name for stirring in me the desire and passion to dwell in Your presence even as  a doorkeeper t han dwell in the tents of wickedness. Hallowed be Thy Name now and forevermore.  It is written, " For the  Lord  God is a sun and shield;  The  Lord  will give grace and glory;  No good thing will He withhold f rom those who walk uprightly". In the Name of Jesus Christ, I declare I have received grace and glory from the Lord and so my life triumph on all sides. I declare I shall never be denied any good thing and my ways please the Lord all the days of my life in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! PSALM 84:10&11

Achsah was the daughter of Caleb of the tribe of Judah. Caleb offered her for marriage to any man who conquers Kiriath-Sepher. The young man Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother took to this challenge and was given Achsah's hand in marriage.  Some characteristics of Achsah; * She accepted her father's offer to give her in marriage to any man that conquered Kiriath-Sepher without questioning him. * She convinced her husband to ask for land from her father. * She was wise and had an insight. She asked her father for springs of water. Her father honoured her request by giving her the Upper and Lower Springs.  * She can be said to be a supportive wife.  From the time she was given to Othniel, she began to think about how to make her home a better place.  * There are no further details of her life after this remarkable display of wisdom. Supporting Scriptures: Joshua 15:16-19; Judges 1:9-13 & 1 Chronicles 2:49

Theme: You Will Catch Men Text: Luke 5:9&0 9  For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;  10  and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon,  “Do not be afraid.   From now on you will catch men.”   11  So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. God is calling on us to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. We are to forsake everything and follow Him. That's not in any way asking us to neglect what we ought to do to keep us going in life like finding a livelihood. Rather as we strive to send the Gospel to the end of the earth, we need to as well labour so as fend for ourselves.  PRAYER: Dear God, take away our fears and empower us to send the Gospel to the end of the earth. Come Holy Spirit and breathe Your strength in us in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Signal Others  Text: Luke 5:7&8 7  So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats so that they began to sink.  8  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” When all odds are defied by the power of the Holy Spirit in your favour, you need to testify. This is what Simon did by signalling to the partners on the other side to join in the harvest. They came and filled both boats so that they began to sink. Hallelujah! They were not disappointed, the unexplainable and unimaginable happened and Simon confess he did not deserve it. What you do not deserve will locate you if you connect to the power and authority of Jesus Christ. When grace speaks, all sins are pardoned and there's divine intervention. It's not late to signal to others about the grace in Christ Jesus. PRAYER: Thank You Lord that the Blo...

Theme: At Your Word Lord Text: Luke 5:5&6 5  But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”  6  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.  Simon did toil all night long and caught nothing and while washing his nets, he gave his boat out to the Lord. When asked to launch into the deep and let down the nets for a catch, he replied sincerely, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net. ” There are times we feel like throwing in the towel but at the Word of the Master, we must obey and keep up to the task.  It was in the obedience he (Simon) had his breakthrough, not in the toil. We need to understand the distinction between labouring without grace (toil) and labouring with grace (divine intervention). If we heed the Word, grace wil...

Theme: Let Down Your Nets Text: Luke 5:4 4  When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon,  “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” In yesterday's devotion, we saw how the Lord made use of Simon's boat to reach out to His audience with the message of God. In the text today, having used the boat without a charge, He gave a divine instruction to transform the lives of the man who willingly gave his boat for the work of God. Simon has closed for the day but had nothing to show for his labour yet he gave his boat to the Lord without charging a thing. He had no intention of taking money from Him but the Lord had a better plan for his life. Where you least expected a divine intervention, that's where it pops up. Be willing to allow the Lord in your boat (family, career, business, finances, etc). God isn't a cheat nor does He take advantage of people. He makes all things beautiful when He makes use of our little possessions. He did require Simon to laun...

Theme: Advance the Word of God  Text: Luke 5:1-3 5  So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,  2  and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.  3  Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. In our dispensation of chaos, sickness, wars and terrifying issues popping up each day, what can calm us down is the Word of God. When Jesus walked the earth thousands of years ago, the depressed, afflicted, and all manner of persons irrespective of their social status followed Him to listen to His preaching and teaching. In this case, unlike the synagogue, the multitude followed Jesus to the  Lake of Gennesaret.  The Lord made use of the boats of the fishermen to advance the Kingdom of God. D...

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. Thank You, Lord, that we have the divine fragrance of Christ and our identity cannot and will never be tainted with filth. It is written and forever remains written,  we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. We declare, therefore, that we are enjoying divine connection all around and we are radiating the love of God. Our aroma goes forth to bring glad tidings our way. By the fragrance of Christ Jesus, we reject the yoke of untimely death, depression, sickness, unfruitfulness, and any form of negativity. For we are the  aroma of life leading to life in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Theme: You Shall be Satisfied  Text: Proverbs 13:25 25  The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,  but the stomach of the wicked shall be in want. To be satisfied means to be content with what you have. Walking righteously makes one satisfied and ever content with the little made. However the wicked are never content no matter how much they made in life, they cynically desire more. Their stomach shall be in want continually because of greed. You can only be satisfied when you learn life is not about self-gratification but about considering the needs of others. If you put a smile on a face, you are sure to go to bed more satisfied than seeking to satisfy yourself.  PRAYER: Dear God, help me to consider others even as I seek to meet my needs. Guide me to be satisfied with all You have blessed me with and live righteously to Your glory in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Discipline Your Child Text: Proverbs 14:24 24  He who spares his rod hates his son,  but he who loves him disciplines him promptly. The Christian walk is a disciplined one where our Father in heaven chastens us when we go contrary to His instructions. He has never in any way unjustly punished any of His children. He expects us to as well discipline our children in the right way and not take advantage of their vulnerability.  To spare the rod is to fail to nurture the child well. It also implies not being a good example for your child. If you fail to exhibit the characteristics you want to see in your child, it will be unfair to expect the child to do so. If you love the child, you will set good examples for your child to follow and correct him/her when he/she makes a mistake. Discipline your child in the Lord, do not molest him/her.  PRAYER: Thank You Lord for setting good examples for us to follow. Teach us to love our children us You have loved us. Help...

Theme: Wastage  Text: Proverbs 13:23 23  Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor,  and for lack of justice, there is a waste.  It's very disturbing how the poor farmer is treated unjustly when it comes to the trade of his crops. He is cheated and given little for all the troubles but the merchants are sure to make many gains by selling those crops expensively. Much is laid wasted in the fallow ground of the poor.  Relating this to the church, we see much wastage in the use of gifts, talents and abilities. Many have been suppressed instead of being encouraged because some have taken over the church as though it is an inheritance to their honour. Positions have been handed to the unqualified whereas the qualified are maligned so as not to challenge the authority to do the right thing. Dear beloved in the Lord, are you encouraging wastage in the house of God? Let justice prevail and there shall be no wastage in the fallow ground ...

Theme: You'll Reap What You Sow Text: Proverbs 13:21&22 21  Evil pursues sinners,  but to the righteous, good shall be repaid.  22  A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,  but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Our deeds leave footprints that could either be good or evil and it all depends on how we live. If we allow sin to rule over our lives, evil will pursue us. It will ruin our lives and all that we have built. Do not entertain sin of any kind for its consequence is awful.  However, if we live righteously we will live behind good deeds to be enjoyed by generations after us. Good is the reward for being righteous. Choose to live each day devoid of sin and evil schemes to create an atmosphere of blessings for your children's children. PRAYER: Dear God, instruct me in Your way that I may walk the path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord, for blessing me in all ways in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Do You Have Companions? Text: Proverbs 13:20 20  He who walks with wise men will be wise,  but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Having the right companions is a sure way to advance boldly in life. If we associate with wise people (those who know the Lord and do His will) we will walk this journey of life in truth and the spirit of God. However, the companion of fools will be destroyed as fools have no discretion. If you keep company with the wise, you will know when to speak, act or be silent. PRAYER: Thank You Lord for enlightening me on the companions I must keep. Open my eyes to associate well with the wise and to flee the company of fools. This I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Be exalted, O God, above the Heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth. Father in the Name of Jesus Christ, give victory with Your Right Hand and answer me, so that those whom You love may be rescued. I decree in the Name of Jesus Christ, o Jehovah God, through You I push back my enemies; through Your Name, I trample my foes. I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but You give me victory over my enemies, You put my adversaries to shame. Thank You, Lord, in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN & AMEN! Psalm 44:5-7; 108:5&6

Hushai the Archite was a faithful companion of King David. He was made a spy when Absalom rebelled against his father and ascended the throne as King. He played this role effectively without leaving traces. He was equally a counsellor and his counsel debunked that of Ahithophel.  * Though it looked as though he betrayed David, he spoke proverbially to Absalom when asked if his allegiance with David has broken. Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the  Lord  and these people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him, I will remain. Indeed the Lord chose David, not Absalom so he was still faithful to David.  * He is a critical thinker to be able to analyse within a short period how to debunk the counsel of Ahithophel.  * He was smart to relay the happenings in the palace to the other spies.  Supporting texts: 2 Samuel 15:32-37; 16:16-19; 17 & 1 Chronicles 27:33

Theme: Accomplished Desire Text: Proverbs 13:19 19  A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,  but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. God has been good to us all from the beginning of the year to the first day of the seventh month. Glory be to His Name. We all entered the year with desires hoping to achieve them successfully. How far has the Lord brought you in the year? Have your desires been met or some are yet to? Our souls become glad when our desires are accomplished. The Lord will satisfy us as we enter into the second half of the year and we will sing our songs of celebration at the end of the year. Depart from evil because it will bring you shame. Be wise and depart from the ways of the fool. PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the grace of protection, preservation, and provision in the first half of the year and even the promises of doing more in this second half. I decree my desires shall be accomplished and any contention to my rising, lifting, br...